Tissue Characterization Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for improving the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by non-invasively determining a type of tissue matter within a living entity consisting of application of two different ultrasound diagnostic methods simultaneously, in a sequence or alternate through the same transducer is disclosed. The apparatus uses a B-scan tissue image visualization as a guiding image to apply a tissue characterization method to determine an attenuation data for tissue matter and includes the steps of applying arbitrary waveform generator to produce a B-scan image of the tissue matter to be analyzed, selecting a region of interest on said image, detecting reflected signals from said region of interest, analyzing the reflected signals to determine attenuation data for the tissue matter. The same advanced combined diagnostic examination can be achieved by using any existing on the market ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with a B-scan transducer by using interface adapter-switch consisting of switching of some piezo-elements of said B-scan transducer to the tissue characterization method for the period of application of said tissue characterization apparatus to determine a type of the tissue matter being under examination within a living entity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvement of the quality of existingultrasound diagnostic examination by combining B-scan visualizationtechnique with a Two-Frequency Attenuation Method technique to obtainhigh quality ultrasound diagnostic examination including non-invasivelydetermination the type of the issue matter being under investigation.

For many years specialists in ultrasound diagnostic field trying todevelop an ultrasound diagnostic method and apparatus which can provideinformation to differentiate type of tissue through measuringattenuation data in a living body or by finding a pattern of the tissueimages. There are many attempts to reach that goal by using spectrumanalyzes of reflected, signals like U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,489 to Yost etal., European Patent No. 11840135 to Hironaka and many others that couldnot come up with an objective and reliable method for clinicalapplications. Some specialists like European Patent No.PCT/IB2014/067105 to Schneider, European Pat. No. PCT/CA2014/2014/050480to Sadeghi, U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/096,960 to Anuja, European Pat. No.PCT/US2014/011631 to Chen and others tried to find a pattern in a tissueimages to differentiate the type of tissue. All attempts to find somepositive information to improve B-scan visualization examination todifferentiate type of tissue was not successful since reflectedecho-signals depend not only on attenuation information from inside ofthe tissue structure but also on the angle of incident of the ultrasoundpulses to reflected surface, its geometry and roughness. Attempts tofind a system employing ultrasound methods for determination the natureof tissue within a living body is still continuing. One such system isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,767 to Yukov. This system determines atype of tissue by using developed by the author “Two-Frequency Method”which based on applying two different frequencies and by registeringreflected signals to calculate attenuation coefficient of the tissuethrough formula:

a(f2)−a(f1)=[A1(f2)/A2(f2)−A1(f1)/A2(f1)]/2I dB/Cm/MHz,

where a(f1) and a(f2)—attenuation coefficient on frequencies f1 and f2accordingly; A1(f1), A2(f1) and A1(f2), A2(f2) are amplitudes of thereflected said apparatus signals from front and rare boundaries of alayer on frequencies f1 and f2 accordingly; I—is a thickness of a layer.

Author describes requirements for the reflected signals to be processedthrough mathematical algorithm since as mentioned there is no directdependency between reflected signals and attenuation information. Forthat purpose author suggests to obtain objective information related toattenuation data through analyses of the shape, width and registeredtime of reflected signals on applied two different frequencies. ChinesePatent No. CN1113631C to Korotkoff discloses a two-frequency method andapparatus which based on developed “Two-Frequency Method” described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,361,767. Author suggests subtraction of reflectedsignals automatically on two different frequencies and displaying theresults as two-dimensional attenuation image on the screen. As mentionedsince there is no direct dependency between reflected signals andattenuation information the apparatus in Chinese Pat. No. CN1113631C forautomatic two-dimensional attenuation image display cannot obtainobjective attenuation information and it will be impossible to apply inthe clinical environment as an objective diagnostic method.

Author of U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,767 to Yukov suggests using theTwo-Frequency Method as a Tissue Characterization Method together with aB-scan tissue structure image information, makes it easier to find aspot of interest for attenuation measurement. Author also suggests touse the same B-scan transducer simultaneous, in sequence or alternatefor B-scan image visualization method and as a transducer forTwo-Frequency Attenuation Method to calculate attenuation data from aspot of interest as a tissue characterization information. Author didnot mention that there is a fundamental differences between requirementsfor B-scan transducers and Two-Frequency Attenuation Method transducers.B-scan transducer requires different type of excitation pulses whichmust be very sharp and short to achieve high resolution of tissuestructure image. In contrast, the excitation pulse for Two-FrequencyMethod transducer consist of a several sine-waves. Another bigdifference is a multiple piezo-element requirement for B-scan transducerin contrast Two-Frequency Method transducer requires only onepiezo-element (only one emitter-receiver source). Because of thesedifferences there are limitations for applying regular B-scan transducerfor both methods. Very sharp and short excitation pulses of B-scanimaging system leads to a very high resolution of the tissue structureimages. However, in many cases there is still not enough information todifferentiate the type of abnormalities in the patient's body. B-scanimaging system needs some extra information to resolve this problem. Oneof this information is an attenuation data which has a different valuedepend on type of the tissue.

The combination of application of B-scan image visualization method anda Two-Frequency Attenuation Method as a Tissue Characterization Methodcan improve quality of the ultrasound diagnostic examination and willmake it possible to determine the type of the tissue non-invasively in aliving entity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve the quality of theexisting diagnostic examination by providing apparatus which combinesthe application of a B-scan image visualization method and a tissuecharacterization method where B-scan image applies as a guiding image touse said tissue characterization method to overcome the aforementionedproblems.

It is a further object of the present invention to improve the qualityof the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by providing apparatuswhich combines the application of B-scan visualization method and tissuecharacterization method by using the same B-scan transducer for bothsaid methods simultaneously, in a sequence or alternate which enablesmedical specialists conveniently apply said B-scan image information asa guiding image to use tissue characterization method to accuratelydetermine a type of tissue undergoing investigation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to improve thequality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by applying ina sequence or alternate existing on the market any type of B-scanimaging apparatus and a tissue characterization apparatus through thesame B-scan transducer by using reliable interface adapter-switch; or byplacing next to each other the bodies of two separate transducers ofsaid two diagnostic apparatus during examination procedure to accuratelydetermine a type of tissue undergoing investigation.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent fromthe following description and drawings wherein like reference numeralsdepict like elements.

In accordance with the present invention the improved quality of theexisting ultrasound diagnostic examination broadly comprises the stepsof: applying a B-scan for visualization of a B-scan tissue imaging andusing said B-scan transducer simultaneously for a tissuecharacterization imaging; placing said B-scan transducer on a patient'sbody; displaying B-scan tissue images on a monitor; analyzing saidB-scan tissue images; selecting a region of interest on said displayedB-scan images on said monitor; displaying tissue characterizationinformation on said B-scan tissue images and/or as A-mode signalsdisplayed on a screen next to the screen of said B-scan images on saidmonitor; automatically processed or visually analyzed said A-modesignals from said chosen region on the screen of said monitor next tosaid B-scan image display will let to obtain objective attenuation datato determines a type of tissue being under investigation.

The apparatus for improved quality of the existing ultrasound diagnosticexamination can be performed also by using B-scan imaging apparatus witha B-scan transducers and by creating inside of said of B-scantransducers a row of A-mode transducers to apply said row of A-modetransducers for tissue characterization method in a sequence oralternate and use said B-scan images as a guiding image for applicationof said tissue characterization method to determine type of tissue beingunder investigation.

The apparatus for the improved quality of the existing ultrasounddiagnostic examination also can be performed by using existing on themarket any B-scan apparatus with a B-scan transducer and by creatinginside of said B-scan transducer a single A-mode transducer throughreliable interface adapter-switch to apply tissue characterizationapparatus or by placing next to each other the bodies of said B-scantransducer and an A-mode transducer of the tissue characterizationapparatus and to apply in a sequence or alternate said B-scan apparatusand said tissue characterization apparatus and to use said B-scan imageas a guiding image to apply said tissue characterization method todetermine type of the tissue being under investigation.

Details of the apparatus of present invention which is to improvequality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination are set forthin the following detailed description and the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals depict like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a combined apparatus which canperform simultaneous application of B-scan imaging method and TissueCharacterization method.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the interface adapter-switch toapply B-scan imaging apparatus and a tissue characterization apparatusthrough B-scan transducer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a combined apparatusfunctioning simultaneously as a B-scan imaging method and as a TissueCharacterization method with one B-scan transducer for both said methodswhich is the object of the present invention.

The combined apparatus of B-scan imaging method and TissueCharacterization method designed based on the technical requirements forthe Two-Frequency Attenuation Method which is the TissueCharacterization Method.

According to said technical requirements each piezo-element of a B-scantransducer must function separately and independently as an A-modetransducer. In accordance with said requirements the excitation pulsesfrom a waveform generator must consist of several sine-waves for eachchosen two different frequencies in a sequence and must exciteseparately said each independently functioning piezo-element of saidB-scan transducer. Connecting said independently functioningpiezo-elements of said B-scan transducer to a linear scanning systemcreates a B-scan image of the tissue being under examination and thesame reflected signals which create said B-scan image of the tissue issimultaneously applied as A-mode signals for said TissueCharacterization method to calculate the attenuation data.

The apparatus 10 as shown on FIG. 1 includes means 11 an arbitrarywaveform generator for generating pulses at desired two differentfrequencies with a desired width and shape. The apparatus 10 furtherincludes linear scanning system 12 with a multi piezo-elements B-scantransducer 13 designed based on the technical requirements for theTwo-Frequency Method which is a Tissue Characterization Method. Eachpiezo-element of said B-scan transducer 13 emits and receives signals ontwo different chosen frequencies with said certain width and shape fromsaid arbitrary waveform generator 11. Operator can place said multipiezo-elements B-scan transducer 13 on the surface of the body of thepatient 14 being under investigation and display in a sequence twoB-scan images on two different frequencies for visualization on amonitor 15 by using computer system 16 with a program memory and knownon the market control systems with all features necessary forexamination and analyzes of said B-scan images which can be displayed ina sequence or any one of them by choice. On the screen of said 15monitor Operator can analyze any spot of interest on said B-scan imagesthrough tissue characterization method to determine the attenuation datafor said spot of interest of the tissue being under examination. Theanalyses of the A-mode signals from said chosen spot and calculation ofthe attenuation data from said chosen spot can be processedautomatically and displayed as overlaid on said chosen spot on thescreen of said B-scan images on said monitor 15. A living body consistof different types of tissues with a layers and boundaries. B-scanimaging method displays the structure of the tissue layers and theirboundaries. In many cases these information is not enough todifferentiate the type of tissue. The tissue characterization apparatuscan differentiate the type of tissue but only through reflected signalsfrom boundaries of the layers because existing technology does not haveenough accuracy to measure attenuation in the tiny structures of thetissue. The tissue characterization method requires two reflectedsignals to calculate the attenuation data between said reflectedsignals: one reflected signal from front boundary of the layer andsecond reflected signal from rare boundary of said layer. The B-scantransducer 13 as said above consist of multiple piezo-elementsfunctioning independently for B-scan imaging and for tissuecharacterization method simultaneously. Operator must know eachpiezo-element has its own image display. To measure attenuation in aspot of interest found through B-scan image means to find two reflectedsignals coming from the same piezo-element. Operator must click onchosen reflected signal on the B-scan image and line will appear to showthe direction of reflected signals coming from which piezo-element.Operator must find and click on the second reflected signals whichshould come from the same piezo-element and it should be a rare boundaryof the chosen layer. The attenuation data will be displayed by choice onB-scan image screen of said monitor 15 as overlaid color image or asnumerical data between said chosen reflected signals or displayed asnumerical data on a smaller screen next to said B-scan image display onsaid monitor 15. If needed Operator is able to see and analyze thereflected signals from said corresponding piezo-element as an A-modesignals which can be displayed on the screen of said monitor 15 next tothe screen of said B-scan images display. On the top of said B-scanimaging screen on said monitor 15 there are numerical numberscorresponding to each piezo-element of said B-scan transducer 13. Byclicking the number Operator can activate the direction line of thepiezo-element. Operator also can use a Voice Recognition block 17 toactivate the direction line of any piezo-element by pronouncing a numberto find a corresponding piezo-element. Operator also can use A-modeAnalyzer block 20 to make analyses of said A-mode signals automatically.The display on the screen of said monitor 15 said B-scan tissue imagessimultaneously with overlaid said tissue characterization informationwill improve greatly the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnosticexamination.

In accordance with the present invention the combined apparatus ofB-scan imaging method and tissue characterization method can be providedalso by using regular high resolution B-scan apparatus with multipiezo-elements B-scan transducer connected to any type of scanningsystem. Creating inside of said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer arow of an A-mode transducers connected to separate linear scanningsystem and a waveform generator producing pulses on two differentfrequencies and to apply in a sequence or alternate said row of A-modetransducers through switches for the period of time of using said tissuecharacterization method. To create said A-mode transducers inside ofsaid, for example 128 multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer, requiresto connect through switches some piezo-elements placed next to eachother, for example 12 piezo-elements, and to use this group of saidconnected piezo-elements as one A-mode transducer for said tissuecharacterization method. By creating a row of said A-mode transducersalong the length of said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer saidmulti piezo-elements B-scan transducer can be applied for said B-scanimaging and said tissue characterization imaging where B-scan image canbe used as a guiding image for applying said tissue characterizationmethod to improve the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnosticexamination. The present combined apparatus shares many functionalitiesdescribed in the combined apparatus of the FIG. 1

In accordance with the present invention the combined application of aB-scan examination and a tissue characterization examination can beprovided also by using existing on the market any B-scan apparatus withany type of multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer and by creatingthrough reliable interface adapter-switch a single A-mode transducerinside of said any type of multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer toapply in a sequence or alternate a tissue characterization apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrate a block diagram of an interface adapter-switch whichcan connect together some of the piezo-elements of said B-scantransducer to make said connected group of said piezo-elements as anA-mode transducer for the tissue characterization apparatus for theperiod of its application. The adapter-switch illustrated in FIG. 2works through Analog Switch 1 which is a TTL logic level signal. When itis driven with a logic “1” the System 2 of the ultrasound apparatus isconnected to the transducer Head 3. Also, it is “pulled up”, whennothing is connected to the input, said ultrasound apparatus System 2 isconnected to the transducer Head 3. When it is driven with a logic “0”(or shorted to ground) all elements are disconnected from saidultrasound apparatus System 2 and the “IN” signal from tissuecharacterization apparatus 4 through B-port of said Analog Switch 1 isconnected to the central elements of said transducer Head 3. For therelay can be used high voltage switch IC which provides switching of thecenter chosen amount of piezo-elements between a B-scan apparatus and aTissue Characterization apparatus. The remaining amount ofpiezo-elements have a single switch for each piezo-element so that allpiezo-elements of the B-scan transducer see the same impedance whendriven by the B-scan apparatus. These switches are opened disconnectingthe B-scan apparatus's system from the transducer when the externaltransceiver is connected to the center chosen amount of piezo-elements.

In accordance with the present invention the combined application of aB-scan imaging method and a Tissue Characterization method can beprovided also by using any existing on the market B-scan apparatus withany type of B-scan transducer and a tissue characterization apparatuswith A-mode transducer and by placing the bodies of said B-scantransducer and said A-mode transducer together next to each other as onecombined transducer. By applying said B-scan apparatus and said tissuecharacterization apparatus separately but in a sequence or alternatethrough, for instance a Foot Pedal switch Operator can visualize aB-scan image of the tissue being under investigation and to use saidB-scan image as a guiding image to choose a spot of interest. After spotof interest is found Operator can slide the combined transducer to bringsaid A-mode transducer part to said chosen spot of interest and applysaid tissue characterization apparatus to determine the type of tissuebeing under investigation.

It is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with thisinvention an apparatus for non-invasively determining a type of tissuematter within a living entity which fully satisfies the objects, meansand advantages set forth herein-before. While the invention has beendescribed in combination with specific embodiment thereof, it is evidentthat many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.Accordingly, it intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combined apparatus which improves the qualityof the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by applying the sameB-scan transducer for simultaneously visualization of B-scan tissueimaging and tissue characterization imaging where said B-scan imaging isused as a guiding image for said tissue characterization imagingapplication to determine the type of tissue being under investigation,said apparatus comprising: (a) a B-scan transducer with a multiplepiezo-elements functioning separately and independently from each otherwhich can be applied simultaneously for B-scan imaging and tissuecharacterization imaging examination; (b) a linear scanning systemconnected to said B-scan transducer which placed on the surface of thebody to be examine; (c) a waveform generator producing two pulses in asequence on chosen two different frequencies with certain width andshape and supplying said two pulses in a sequence to said B-scantransducer; (d) a monitor for displaying B-scan images and tissuecharacterization image on the screen separately or simultaneously andnext to said screen another smaller screen to display an A-modereflected signals for analyses to obtain objective attenuation data fortissue characterization imaging to determine a type of tissuenon-invasively in a living entity.
 2. A combined apparatus of claim 1wherein said B-scan transducer is a regular B-scan transducer withmultiple piezo-elements and connected to a B-scan apparatus to producehigh resolution B-scan imaging and by creating inside of said regularB-scan transducer a row of an A-mode transducers which connected in asequence or alternate to a linear scanning system and arbitrary waveformgenerator producing pulses on two different frequencies for the periodof application of a tissue characterization imaging and where saidB-scan imaging is used as guiding image to apply said tissuecharacterization method to determine type of the tissue being underinvestigation non-invasively in a living entity.
 3. An apparatus whichimproves the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examinationby applying a B-scan imaging apparatus with a multiple piezo-elementsB-scan transducer and a tissue characterization apparatus comprising aninterface adapter-switch wherein said interface adapter-switch creates asingle A-mode transducer inside of said multiple piezo-elements B-scantransducer by connecting together several said piezo-elements tofunction as an A-mode transducer in a sequence or alternate for theperiod of application of said tissue characterization apparatus and touse said B-scan image as a guiding image information to apply throughsaid interface adapter-switch said tissue characterization imaging todetermine type of the tissue being under investigation non-invasively ina living entity.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said A-modetransducer for tissue characterization apparatus comprises apiezo-element inserted into said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer.5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (d) analyzing said B-scanimaging displayed separately from said tissue characterization imagingon the screen of said monitor; (e) selecting a spot of interest on saidB-scan imaging displayed separately on said monitor; (f) Turning ON thedisplay of said tissue characterization imaging information; (g) usingnumerical numbers placed on the top of the B-scan imaging screen orusing a Voice Recognition block to display on said B-scan imaging screenthe direction line from which piezo-element are registering the tworeflected signals chosen for attenuation measurement of said tissuecharacterization method. (h) analyzing displayed tissue characterizationimaging information together with said B-scan imaging on the screen ofsaid monitor and/or analyzing said tissue characterization informationon said smaller screen next to said screen displaying said B-scanimaging and said tissue characterization imaging (i) determining type ofthe tissue being under investigation non-invasively in a living entity.6. A method which improves the quality of the existing ultrasounddiagnostic examination by applying a B-scan apparatus and a tissuecharacterization apparatus together through bodily joined transducersand to use B-scan image information to find a spot of interest to applysaid tissue characterization method which comprises the steps of: (a)positioning next to each other the bodies of said B-scan transducer andsaid A-mode transducer; (b) applying said B-scan apparatus and saidtissue characterization apparatus in a sequence or alternate; (c)placing said joined transducers on body of the patient; (d) using B-scantransducer which is a part of joined transducers to display a B-scanimage of the tissue being under investigation; (e) using said B-scanimage display as a guiding image to choose a spot of interest; (d)adjusting by sliding the position of said joined transducers to bringdirection of A-mode transducer to said chosen spot of interest todetermine type of the tissue being under investigation non-invasively ina living entity.